American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1164, AFL-CIO (Union) and The Social Security Administration (Agency)

[ v06 p342 ] 06:0342(60)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:

6 FLRA No. 60
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL
1164, AFL-CIO
Union
and
THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Agency
Case No. O-AR-109
DECISION
THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY ON EXCEPTIONS TO THE AWARD OF
ARBITRATOR IRWIN M. LIEBERMAN FILED BY THE UNION UNDER SECTION 7122(A)
OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (5 U.S.C.
7122(A)).
ACCORDING TO THE ARBITRATOR, THE DISPUTE IN THIS MATTER AROSE WHEN
THE UNION REQUESTED, PURSUANT TO A REOPENER PROVISION IN THE PARTIES'
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, THAT THE AGENCY'S BOSTON REGION (THE
ACTIVITY) MEET AND CONFER ON A SERIES OF PROPOSALS WITH RESPECT TO
CERTAIN MATTERS. AFTER A PRELIMINARY MEETING, THE ACTIVITY REFUSED TO
NEGOTIATE, MAINTAINING THAT THE UNION'S PROPOSALS WERE NOT WITHIN THE
PURVIEW OF THE AGREEMENT. CLAIMING THAT THIS REFUSAL VIOLATED THE
AGREEMENT, THE UNION FILED A GRIEVANCE WHICH WAS ULTIMATELY SUBMITTED TO
ARBITRATION.
TWO WEEKS AFTER FILING THE GRIEVANCE, LOCAL 1164 WAS REPLACED AS
EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE PURSUANT TO A UNIT CONSOLIDATION. THE AMERICAN
FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WAS CERTIFIED AS THE EXCLUSIVE
REPRESENTATIVE FOR A CONSOLIDATED NATIONWIDE UNIT WHICH INCLUDED THE
BARGAINING UNIT REPRESENTED BY